Liu Heita

Liu Heita
Reign622–623
Died623
Full name
Era name and dates
Tiānzao (天造) of Handong: 622–623
DynastySui and Tang dynasties

Liu Heita (Chinese: 劉黑闥) (died c.March 623[1]) was an agrarian rebel leader during China's transition period from the Sui dynasty to the Tang dynasty, who initially successively served under Hao Xiaode (郝孝德), Li Mi, and Wang Shichong. He eventually followed Dou Jiande the Prince of Xia. After Dou was killed by Emperor Gaozu of Tang in 621 and his territory was taken by Tang, Liu rose to avenge Dou, and briefly recaptured Dou's territory, north of the Yellow River.

Liu was then defeated by the Tang general Li Shimin (the eventual Emperor Taizong) and then Li Shimin's brother Li Jiancheng, the Crown Prince.

In 623, Liu was captured by his one-time subordinate Zhuge Dewei (諸葛德威) and executed.

  1. ^ ([武德六年]二月,刘黑闼伏诛。) Xin Tang Shu, vol.01; the month corresponds to 7 Mar to 5 Apr 623 in the Julian calendar. Vol.190 of Zizhi Tongjian dated Liu's capture to the ji'mao day of the 1st month of that year, which corresponds to 7 Feb 623 in the Julian calendar ([武德六年]春,正月,己卯,刘黑闼所署饶州刺史诸葛德威执黑闼,举城降。). Emperor Gaozu's biography in Old Book of Tang dated Liu's execution to the gengshen day of the 12th month of the 5th year of the Wu'de era, corresponding to 19 Jan 623 in the Julian calendar.([武德五年]十二月...庚申,至自宜州。皇太子破刘黑闼于魏州,斩之,山东平。) Jiu Tang Shu, vol.01.